Laureateship |
Poet |
Birth - Death Dates |
1668-88 |
John Dryden |
1631-1700 |
1689-92 |
Thomas Shadwell |
1643?-92 |
1692-1715 |
Nahum Tate |
1652-1715 |
1715-18 |
Nicholas Rowe |
1674-1718 |
1718-30 |
Laurence Eusden |
1688-1730 |
1730-57 |
Colley Cibber |
1671-1757 |
1757-85 |
William Whitehead |
1715-85 |
1785-90 |
Thomas Warton |
1728-90 |
1790-1813 |
Henry James Pye |
1745-1813 |
1813-43 |
Robert Southey |
1774-1843 |
1843-50 |
William Wordsworth |
1770-1850 |
** 1850-92 |
Alfred, Lord Tennyson |
1809-92 |
1896-1913 |
Alfred Austin |
1835-1913 |
1913-30 |
Robert Bridges |
1844-1930 |
1930-67 |
John Masefield |
1878-1967 |
1968-72 |
Cecil Day-Lewis |
1904-72 |
1972-84 |
Sir John Betjeman |
1906-84 |
1984-98 |
Ted Hughes |
1930-98 |
| 1998-Present | Andrew Motion | 1952-Present |
What is a Poet Laureate?
The title of Poet Laureate originated officially in 1668 under the then reigning monarch, Charles II.
Unofficially the first Poet Laureate was Ben Johnson in 1617 (James I effectively created the position) although the title of Poet Laureate was never officially bestowed upon him.
Basically a Poet Laureate in the UK is an officially appointed poet of the monarch, usually for life. Nowadays many other countries also appoint Poets Laureate.
Thomas Shadwell instituted the annual Birthday and New Year odes and the responsibility of writing poetry to commemorate official events such as the monarch's birthday, royal births, deaths and marriages and military victories.
Quick Facts
1617 : Ben Johnson first unofficial Poet Laureate.
1668 : First official Poet Laureate, John Dryden installed in office.
The post typically involves a small remuneration package and some form of alcohol.
Gulielmus Peregrinus was actually employed by Richard the Lionheart in a role similar to that of poet laureate back in the 12th century.
Various other KIngs have also recruited their own poets including Henry VIII and Henry III.